Dear Katrina,
I just got back from the Olympics, and I am having a hard time getting back in the water. Can you share some insight into dealing with the mental hurdles of starting all over?
This is common, no matter what level a swimmer is at. Younger swimmers might look at a season, and then “restart”. World-class athletes tend to think in four- year cycles. Regardless of the time-frame, when we realize big goals, after putting most of our energy into one singular event (such as the Olympics), it can seem like a big let down, afterwards…at least, initially. After all, this is often something we have dreamed of and focused on for over ten years, in our short life.
How do we start all over? Is that what we really are doing? Rather, you might want to ask yourself: how can I build on this experience and take this into my next endeavor in the pool?
Like anything, our life has a rhythm and cycles that occur within it. Just as a conversation has a space between one topic before another begins, so do our training and racing seasons, and one goal to the next goal. Life is constant change and yes there are beginnings and endings, but hopefully this one ending helps you start this new beginning from a very different place…one that can empower you to try new things to help you continue to be your personal best.
Take the time to first appreciate having this fabulous experience of being able to represent your country and participate in the best global sporting event that brings the whole world together.
Celebrate this often once in a lifetime event, and appreciate what it means for you. This gift of partaking in the Olympics is really unique, and one you will cherish forever. Yes, sometimes you might not perform as well as wanted; however, there is always something that can be gained from the experience. And if you performed beyond your wildest expectations, you might get excited about recreating that experience of seeing that everything can flow magically in a moment, that allows for more amazing events to take place.
To help you become more clear about your personal scenario: You might want to write down your feelings about your Olympic experience, and your past few years, (or all of your years) of training. What did you really enjoy? When did you struggle, and how did you overcome that? What do you want to take with you as you stay on your life journey?
As mentioned in a former article, http://swimswam.com/2012/08/dear-katrina-should-i-retire-or-keep-swimming/ sometimes we have to assess whether it is time to stop for awhile, retire for good, or keep going. We need to be very clear on what motivates us.
To help know what motivates us, enjoy having some time and space to reflect, enjoy, and process this experience. Often times, we want to fill up our schedules with routines that keep us active. We think that is what we are supposed to do. Yet, it is in the down time, where we get to realize new desires, bigger dreams, new ideas, and how we feel in this moment.
So, give yourself this important time. It can be for a week before you start the season, or it can be daily by giving yourself 10 minutes to breathe and meditate.
In your case, it sounds like you have a few more years of swimming ahead of you, but just are having difficulty getting back into the routine.
Be careful to stop yourself from getting caught up in what others think you can do, or what your future might bring. Four years is a long time, and there are no guarantees for any of us…focus on what you enjoy, what you want to learn, and what you can do to bring a new enthusiasm to your daily routine.
Questions to consider:
1. Is there something more you want to do in the sport?
2. What excites you about swimming? training?
3. what can you do differently to keep you mentally fresh as you train?
4. Can you work with an additional person who might encourage you to learn in new ways, about new topics related to performance (sport psychology, nutrition, dryland, fun and games to add into practice, technique, race strategies, video taping, talking to a mentor, etc).
I wish you the best in trusting yourself, to give yourself enough “down time” to process, and then to pursue what is exciting you, within. Maybe you will try a whole new strength routine this year. Maybe in the next four years, you want to try self-hypnosis. Maybe you decide to change how you swim a specific set. You get to be creative within your daily routines. You get to decide how you want to live each day.
Make the most of it, and know that as you pay attention to what excites you, you will be on your path, doing your best.
Keep SHINING,
Katrina
Katrina Radke is an Olympic Swimmer, Sport Psychology Professor, and Bestselling Author of Be Your Best Without the Stress, where she shares her own Olympic story, and tools for you to realize your true potential.
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